lHave Lost two Chickens now.HELP ME ID SUSPECT LIST POST #6

[Farmington]

If your runs are not covered, it comes at night, leaves only feathers, no blood, I'm thinking great horned owl, or some other large owl.

 

[Teresaann24]

the feathers look plucked out not just feathers lost from a struggle.

 

[dieselgrl48]

Fox are the worst.Usualy if they don't leave the animal it's probably a fox or Coyote.It's breeding season here for fox and some probably already have young.Fox will burrow prey and dig it up later to feed the young and if un-recognized with a fair supply of food can make several kill's in a night and carry the prey off and bury it for it's kit's.Coyote's will usualy make off with their prey as well.Racoon's will usualy leave feather's and carcass where they kill.We have all here, I just saw a coyote just walking down road at daylight this morn. Gosh even the groundhog's are starting here too as neighbor's dog just had a round with one here this eve.The coon's are back AGAIN too saw one last week.The only bird's right now We are most worried about are the young duckling's trying to get trained to water during day.Luckily my 2 adult mallard's are smart and Was out last night and stayed on water around that coyote.Gosh now they saying more bear's this year here.And well now a skunk as of 2 night's ago too they can be pest towl's will pick off bird's as well if the are left unprotected at night especlialy bantam one's.I know We have bobcat here as well but never seen one out here soo.It's potluck,Invest in a good live trap.You will be suprised at what ya catch.

 

[Teresaann24]

my cousin is going to try to borrow one tomorrow. I am just hoping my runs hold up aganist whatever it is.

 

[mychookschick]

I had a fox snatch a hen from right out in the middle of the field in broad daylight he was ready to cary her away leaving a trail of feather when I hollered at him and he dropped her and ran away... she is currently in rehab.

 

[Teresaann24]

trap has been set for 3 nights now and nothing.....

It has not came back or atleast I don't think it has?

 

[JayDe]

I had a fox leave feathers and try to take off with the body of my rooster. I came out yelling for him and the fox ran off out of some bushes 10 ft away from where the feathers were. He left the body. My husband figured out there was a male and female with babies out in our back woods. The fox was probably going to take the rooster back to the kits. This happened at 11am, but after reading about foxes, they can come any time of day. I hope you get them. I've had no issues since I've not let them free range without a person present-- because our coop and run is secure.

I hope you find out who it is and find a way to protect your remaining flock!

 

[Teresaann24]

4 nights and still nothing...

I redid all runs with the very tiny hole hard ware cloth. Very hard metal to work with but well worth it.

So now I am just waiting for the sucker to get caught.

It bothers me cause I have no clue who this theft is and I wanna know!!!

 

[highcountrychickens]

Quote:
I agree with this - maybe try to close your chickens in at night if you can until you solve the mystery

 

[doubled]

sounds like a fox to me. this is the time of year that they have a litter of cubs eating whole food and all adult foxes in their group are bringing the litter food.